Sources tell Fox Sports that the Raptors have "engaged" the Sixers in trade talks centered on Andrea Bargnani.
The Raptors continue to talk about Bargnani with anyone that will listen. They'd likely be asking for Spencer Hawes and some change, a deal the offensively-challenged Sixers might have to listen to. If they ever get Andrew Bynum (knee) back, having a true stretch four like Bargnani could conceivably be a good fit. We're sure to hear plenty of more Bargnani rumors as Thursday's deadline approaches. Feb 15 - 6:45 PM

Carlos Boozer has really picked his game up this season and has contributed greatly to the Bulls success. The 10-year veteran has been an easy target for fans complaining about his salary as it relates to his on-court production, but this season, Booz has earned every dime.

When word of a potential trade of Boozer for the Toronto Raptors’ Andrea Bargnani surfaced last week, even the harshest of his critics didn’t want to see that deal go down, and with good reason. Boozer has been one of the most, if not the most, valuable player on Tom Thibodeau’s roster this season.

I also thought today, I feel like BC is the type of guy who would despise the leaks (and the nature of them) coming out of this deal. They are very much trying to publicly pressure Toronto into taking this deal.

Because Chicago (not a div opponent but i assume you meant conference) is making this trade for financial reasons rather than competitive reasons (at least on the surface). We aren't giving them cap space that they can use to sign a major free agent. At best it'll give them enough cap space to use the full MLE. We help out their pocketbooks they help our roster. For us as Toronto fans, that's a win. If we can get a draft pick out of it (preferably that Charlotte protected), even better.

If we've got ownership willing to spend into the tax, we can use that to our advantage to acquire guys who are talented but overpaid, and then retain those guys under bird rights in the new, fiscally tighter nba. There's a rare window right now to execute that strategy. I'm not saying it's a great strategy, but I can see the logic in it.

Sorry, meant conference. Boozer's age and money owed scares me (yes, it's not my money). Unlike the Blue Jays situation, the likes of Miami and New York are not on the downside (with aging players and crazy contracts). We'll have to wait until Feb. 22 I guess.

ďThe saving of our world from pending doom will come, not through the complacent adjustment of the conforming majority, but through the creative maladjustment of a nonconforming minority.Ē - Martin Luther King

In 30% of Toronto's minutes played, Bargnani on the court has resulted in minus 77 points.

In 59% of Chicago's minutes played, Boozer on the court has resulted in minus 33 points.

Putting that in perspective in half the time on court Bargnani has resulted in a net negative effect of over double the points. So I VERY MUCH DISAGREE that 15 minutes of Bargnani is better than 30 minutes of Boozer.

Boozer's results are hardly spectacular but he is still a major SUPERSTAR in comparison to Bargnani.

This deal makes the Raptors better and adds talent. Wait to the last minute to squeeze out a draft pick if possible but, whether that happens or not, lets do it Bryan!

What's also obviously not good enough is his mostly brutal defense. Take it away John:

Defensively, Boozer is Chicago's worst frontcourt player, but the excellence of the other three made him look worse: Chicago gave up 8.6 points per 100 possessions more with him on the court. While he was 11th in rebound rate among power forwards, his help defense was pretty deficient, consisting large of screaming loudly that a pick was coming before pretending to stop the ball handler. He also has short arms and doesn't always sprint back, making him something of a magnet for criticism in the Windy City.

The takeaway is with Bargnani on the court the Raptors are down 77 points this season in just 740 minutes.

Any comparison of Boozer to Bargnani is an absolute joke. Boozer is a much better player. This is not a trade being doing by the basketball people in Chicago. This is a trade being done by the accountants and owner.

Nothing about these numbers are good. They score better and defend better with Boozer off the court. They are also a net negative when he's on the court and a net positive when he's off. The only things they do better when Boozer is on the court are shoot the ball (on: 47efg%; off: 46.7efg%) and grab defensive rebounds (on: 70.2drr; off: 68.9drr).

Nothing about these numbers are good. They score better and defend better with Boozer off the court. They are also a net negative when he's on the court and a net positive when he's off. The only things they do better when Boozer is on the court are shoot the ball (on: 47efg%; off: 46.7efg%) and grab defensive rebounds (on: 70.2drr; off: 68.9drr).

That's just so bad all across the board.

and have you looked at bargnani's contributions?

boozer>bargnani.

also have you looked at the standings? per36 leading rebounder and scorer for 5th seed in east.

Irrelevant. Why would you trade for such a bad player by the numbers on such a bad contract? As bad as Bargnani is, there is literally no upside. Your contract situation gets significantly worse (more expensive AND longer contract) and you are only trading one negative contribution for another. Less negative, sure. But you shouldn't want either player.

Irrelevant. Why would you trade for such a bad player by the numbers on such a bad contract? As bad as Bargnani is, there is literally no upside. Your contract situation gets significantly worse (more expensive AND longer contract) and you are only trading one negative contribution for another. Less negative, sure. But you shouldn't want either player.

Hardly irrelevant.

First off, Boozer is not a bad player. Bargnani is a bad player. Both guys are examples guys paid too much for what they produce.

Secondly, Boozer is on a bad contract but $1 for $1 he is better than Bargnani.

Thirdly, both players expire at the exact same time. Boozer is not a longer contract than Bargnani. Facts are important in the discussion. For the extra money you just got yourself a low post scoring threat and an extra 8.5 rebounds per 48 minutes plus a swing in win share of 4.6 wins.

Fourthly, Boozer has been winning more than losing for 8 years and in the playoffs for 7 straight years.

Fifthly, Boozer is not ideal but he is better than Bargnani - much better. You seem to think there is a market for Bargnani and that Toronto can afford to be selective in the offers for him.

Sixthly, less negative is an improvement and a significant talent upgrade to the Toronto bigs.

The fact that the deal was kiboshed by Bryan I could see one of three possibilities:

1) Rogers/Bell seems hesitant to go further into luxury tax to get a little more talent.
2) Bryan still has a hard on for Bargnani and is expecting much better talent in return.
3) Bryan does not see Boozer as a fit either due to his character or his game.

I would hope its #3. If it's #2 then the board really needs to get rid of him at the end of this season. If it's #1 then it makes you wonder what type of talent Bell/Rogers would be okay with to go into luxury tax - or is it possible that they would not want to go into luxury tax at all? And if that's the case is the team doomed?

The fact that the deal was kiboshed by Bryan I could see one of three possibilities:

1) Rogers/Bell seems hesitant to go further into luxury tax to get a little more talent.
2) Bryan still has a hard on for Bargnani and is expecting much better talent in return.
3) Bryan does not see Boozer as a fit either due to his character or his game.

I would hope its #3. If it's #2 then the board really needs to get rid of him at the end of this season. If it's #1 then it makes you wonder what type of talent Bell/Rogers would be okay with to go into luxury tax - or is it possible that they would not want to go into luxury tax at all? And if that's the case is the team doomed?

Sources tell the Toronto Star that the Raptors have “no interest” in Carlos Boozer. The Raptors are on the hunt for a better, more cost-effective Andrea Bargnani deal: “There has been chatter about Bargnani-Boozer around here but I’m not sure if it’s just people catching up the first one or what. But my information remains as it was a week or so ago, there is no interest in taking on either Boozer or his more-costly contract.”

Sources tell the Toronto Star that the Raptors have “no interest” in Carlos Boozer. The Raptors are on the hunt for a better, more cost-effective Andrea Bargnani deal: “There has been chatter about Bargnani-Boozer around here but I’m not sure if it’s just people catching up the first one or what. But my information remains as it was a week or so ago, there is no interest in taking on either Boozer or his more-costly contract.”

With that said, I certainly think an Ilyasova or Hawes deal is better suited for what BC is trying to address. We still need ANY finance to better the team in the long term, and Boozer is only marginally better than Bargnani. Stats are definitely better, and an upgrade, but will only be able to provide this production for so long.